Cuomo Kicks Off Endorsement Parade with Healthcare Workers

For the first large rally of his reelection campaign, Governor Andrew Cuomo turned to a powerful ally — the healthcare workers union, 1199-SEIU. 

The largest union in the state has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Cuomo over the years and millions of dollars to the state Democratic party. So it's not exactly a surprise that 1199-SEIU is endorsing Cuomo for a third term. Still, that he came to them first — or they came to him — shows not only how crucial the mutual relationship is, but also how urgent their shared concerns are.

Cuomo said $8 billion in cuts proposed by President Trump over four years would "dismantle" New York's healthcare system.

"You would see bankrupt hospitals," he said. "You would see workers laid off."

New York spends more than $60 billion in federal, state and county funds on Medicaid annually — close to one-third of the state budget.